2017 THE DOCTOR Shiraz

The Family Collection

2018 The Kester Shiraz

Variety:     Shiraz (99%)  Viognier (1%)
Region:     Lower Hunter Valley

Tasting Notes

Showing all the hallmark signatures from a great Hunter Vintage, The Kester 2018 is a superb release. The colour of this wine is rich and deep, giving an indication of the power you will find in the glass - bright black and purple, with deep scarlet at the rim.

 The Shiraz fruit aromas are latent inky blackberry, immersed in deep perfumes of kirsch with lovely floral sweetness; following this is a lift of blueberry, and delicate Viognier hints of white bloom and jasmine. The classic old-vine elements chime in with grand flourish – aromas of juniper foremost, with hints of thyme, bay leaf, black olive, and espresso in reinforcement. The defining characteristics of this Kester are found on the palate - the wine’s lavish black fruit density and deep tannins are the heart of this complex expression of Hunter Valley terroir. Flavours are rich, concentrated, and intense, with powerful and inky black and blue fruits weaved in flawless union; delicious black cherry, boysenberry, dark chocolate, and liquorice-like characters unite, all bonding with satiny polish yet also a tongue staining flavour persistence. Superb tannin texture meshes fruit and French oak, entwined to delivering lasting momentum and flair. 

 Drink: With decanting you can enjoy this special wine on release, but it will also greatly reward cellaring for 20+ years.

James Halliday 95 points, Huon Hooke 94 points, The Wine front 94 points

Technical Data

Alcohol: 14.3%

The Family Collection Range

2018 The Wife Shiraz 

Varieties:   Shiraz 90 %,  Viognier 10 %

Region:      Lower Hunter Valley 

This wine is handmade for my wife Amanda, who loves aromatic and gentle reds.          

Tasting Notes  

This wine’s youthful freshness shows in the glass – its colour is scarlet red with fresh blue highlights at the rim. Aromatically, the co-fermentation of Shiraz & Viognier delivers a complex melange where black cherry is supreme, revelling in fresh perfumed flashes of violet-flower and potpourri lavender. The unmissable allure of Viognier is woven throughout, interlacing with opulent perfumes of orange flowers and fresh apricot; this harmony continues on the palate, where the Shiraz supplies juicy depth whilst the Viognier  provides silky softness. Characters drift from black-berries in cream to apricot tart with delicious textural gentleness. This is all crowned by subtly spicy oak, giving final hints of vanilla, cinnamon, and gingerbread to support the wine’s fresh fruit flavour.

Irresistible – obviously!

Drink : 2020  to 2030 
  

Technical Data

Alcohol  14.3% 

pH 3.43

MRV 2019

Variety: 47% Marsanne | 43%  Roussanne  | 10% Viognier
Region: Hunter Valley

Tasting Notes

This wine was previously known as Epogée

The boldness of this wine is obvious even in how it presents in the glass, with a strong lemon-yellow colour with flecks of green.

Aromatically, this wine is really in a class of its own. All three varieties contribute differently to the bouquet: Marsanne (47%) gifts the highlights of fresh citrus and pear, sweet lemon and fig. Roussanne (43%) fills out the fruit accents of ripe apple, honey, and fine herb tea. 

Finally, a dash of Viognier (10%) brings bright and floral distinction, with clear notes of honeysuckle and orange blossom plus hints of jasmine. 

The characteristics of each variety add a different character to the aroma and this complexity carries on throughout the palate of the wine. The Marsanne and Roussanne combine perfectly for pear, fig and macadamia flavours that are lush, layered and textured whilst viognier confers a nectarine tang with fine cardamom-like spiciness. These three varieties were fermented individually in French oak barrels before blending, which supports these layers of texure with subtle spice and creaminess onto the finish.

Drink:Now to 2025
Food Match: Gnocchi, pasta, or seafood

Technical Data

Alcohol: 12.6%
pH: 3.32 

2018 Hunter Valley Shiraz Viognier

Variety:  Shiraz (95%) | Viognier (5%)
Region:  Hunter Valley
Vine Age:  40+ years old

Tasting Notes

Brilliant scarlet-red in colour and brim-full with ripeness, this S/V shows the luxuriant completeness of co-fermenting, combining the Shiraz aromatic richness of soft black-cherry (95%) with floral jasmine-like perfumes of Viognier (5%). This profusion of fruit combines on the palate with plush unity: dense yet satiny smooth, blackberry and cola-like with milk-chocolate softness, given extra sheen and depth from fine French oak, completing this opulent balance with a foundation of fine-spice vanilla and cinnamon.

The 2018 vintage gave us stellar harvesting conditions and fruit condition, this Shiraz-Viognier has appeal for immediate drinking or medium term cellaring.

Drink: Now to 2025 

Food Match: Slow cooked meats, pizza, or risotto.

Technical Data

Alcohol: 14%